Want to get that same frothy texture in your homemade espresso as you get at a coffee shop? You can achieve the same effect by frothing milk with a jar, a coffee press, or a handheld milk frother—no need for an espresso machine or other fancy equipment!

Add the milk foam to your espresso. Use a spoon to hold back the foam at first, allowing the portion of the milk that is still liquid to pour into your espresso. Then spoon the thicker milk foam on top of your espresso and milk.[2]

For a cappuccino, you want about the same amount of warm milk as milk foam added to the espresso, and for a latte, you want twice the amount of warm milk as milk foam. To achieve this, you may need to warm up more milk in the microwave to get the right amount.[3]

Add the milk foam to your espresso. Pour the milk foam into your espresso, using a spoon to hold back the thicker foam to allow the liquid milk to pour out first. Then spoon the foam on top of your milk and espresso.[4]

For a cappuccino, use about the same amount of warm liquid milk as milk foam to add to your espresso. For a latte, use about twice the amount of liquid milk as milk foam. To achieve this, you may need to warm up more milk in the microwave to get the right amount.[5]

Use a handheld milk frother. Locate a small electric or battery-powered milk frother that you can hold inside your glass of milk. Place your milk frother into the milk so that the whisk end is submerged in the milk before turning it on.

Combine milk foam and espresso. Add your espresso straight to your mug of frothed milk foam, or pour the milk foam over another cup with espresso, using a spoon to hold back the foam and let the liquid milk pour it, then spooning the foam on top.[6]

For a cappuccino, use about the same amount of warm liquid milk as milk foam to add to your espresso. For a latte, use about twice the amount of liquid milk as milk foam. To achieve this, you may need to warm up more milk in the microwave to get the right amount.[7]